The House with Laughing Windows

A young restorer named Stefano travels to a remote Italian village to restore a church mural depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The artwork was the final piece created by a mentally unstable artist who focused on depicting human agony. As Stefano uncovers hidden details of the painting, he encounters hostility and secrecy from the local residents. This atmosphere of tension and the nature of the artwork gradually turn his experience into a nightmare, leading him to uncover a dark local secret.

The film was directed by Pupi Avati, marking the first in a listed series of his works that includes Revenge of the Dead and Magnificat. The screenplay was co-written by Pupi Avati, Antonio Avati, and Maurizio Costanzo. Lino Capolicchio stars as Stefano, appearing alongside Francesca Marciano, Gianni Cavina, Giulio Pizzirani, Bob Tonelli, and Vanna Busoni. In total, the production credited 23 cast members.

The movie was produced by A.M.A. Film and released on August 20, 1976. It is a blend of horror, mystery, and thriller genres with a runtime of 110 minutes. Audience reception has been positive, with a rating of 7/10 on IMDb based on 6,900 votes and a score of 7.2/10 on TMDB from 420 votes.